Pharmacy Queue Management & Prescription Waitlist Software
Patients scan a QR code, join your prescription queue, and wait anywhere — at home, in the car, or browsing the aisles. One tap sends an SMS when their medication is ready. No app download required.
Designed for community pharmacies · eScript-compatible workflow · Free plan available · No credit card required
Pharmacy Wait Times Are Driving Customers Away
A crowded counter looks like a busy business — until you count how many patients are walking to the pharmacy down the road.
Every pharmacy owner knows the scene. A dozen patients crowded around the counter, all wondering the same thing — “how long until my prescription is ready?” Staff are fielding the same question repeatedly, trying to dispense accurately while managing an anxious queue. Meanwhile, three people who glanced through the window and saw the crowd have already driven to the pharmacy down the road.
Pharmacy wait times are a persistent problem. Research shows that 90% of customers are unwilling to wait in-store for more than 10 minutes for any service. Yet the average pharmacy prescription wait — particularly for compounded medications — regularly exceeds 15 to 20 minutes. During flu season or when a nearby GP clinic finishes its afternoon appointments, that wait can blow out to 30 minutes or more.
The consequences are measurable. Nearly 80% of customers say they would abandon a brand after a single negative experience. Patients who wait too long don't just leave — they switch pharmacies permanently. For a community pharmacy where customer loyalty is everything, losing patients to a competitor over avoidable queue frustration is a direct hit to your bottom line.
The problem isn't your team's speed. It's the process. Patients standing in a physical queue have no visibility into how long their prescription will take. They can't leave to run errands without losing their spot. Staff are interrupted every few minutes by patients asking for updates, pulling them away from the dispensing bench. The physical queue itself creates bottlenecks at the counter that slow everything down.
The solution isn't more staff. It's a smarter queue.
How ScanQueue Works for Pharmacies
ScanQueue replaces the physical pharmacy queue with a digital one. Patients check in remotely via QR code, wait wherever is convenient for them, and return when their prescription is ready.
Patient Scans the QR Code
Place your pharmacy's unique QR code at the entrance, on the prescription drop-off counter, or on a poster in the waiting area. Patients scan it with their phone camera — it opens instantly in any mobile browser. No app download, no account creation, no friction.
They Join the Prescription Queue
The patient enters their name, phone number, and basic details. For pharmacies processing electronic prescriptions, patients can note their eScript token number or indicate they've already forwarded their e-script to the pharmacy. Your team sees the entry on the ScanQueue dashboard immediately.
This takes about 15 seconds — compared to several minutes of standing in line just to hand over a prescription and ask “how long will it be?”
They Wait Anywhere
Once checked in, patients see their position in the queue and an estimated wait time on their phone. They're free to leave the pharmacy entirely — sit in their car, grab a coffee, browse other shops, or wait at home if they live nearby. No more crowded waiting areas, no more anxious hovering at the counter.
You Notify When Ready
When the prescription is dispensed, your pharmacist taps “Notify” on the ScanQueue dashboard. The patient receives an SMS saying their medication is ready for collection. They walk in, pick up, and leave. The entire interaction at the counter takes 60 seconds instead of a drawn-out wait.
Features Built for Pharmacy Workflows
Every feature translates directly to the pharmacy environment — from prescription dispensing to vaccination queues.
QR Code Self-Check-In
Patients join the prescription queue in 15 seconds by scanning a QR code. No staff interaction required for initial check-in. Frees your counter staff to focus on dispensing and patient counselling.
Custom Queue Fields
Configure your check-in form to capture patient name, prescription type, whether it's a new script or repeat, and eScript details. Your team can begin processing before the patient even reaches the counter.
Multiple Queue Types
Separate queues for prescription pickups, pharmacist consultations, vaccinations, and health screenings. Each operates independently with its own QR code.
SMS Notifications
One-tap SMS alerts when prescriptions are ready. No more calling out names in the waiting area, no more patients approaching the counter every five minutes to ask if their medication is done.
AI Wait Time Predictions
Give patients accurate wait estimates based on your pharmacy's actual dispensing patterns. When patients know their prescription will take 18 minutes rather than a vague "it'll be a while," they're far more likely to wait.
Real-Time Dashboard
See every patient in the queue, their wait time, prescription type, and status. Manage your workflow at a glance from any device — tablet behind the counter, phone in the dispensary, or laptop in the back office.
Privacy-First Design
Patient names appear on your staff dashboard only — never displayed publicly. SMS notifications go directly to the patient's phone. Aligns with Australian Privacy Act requirements and respects patient confidentiality.
Data Retention Controls
Configure how long patient queue data is retained. Queue entries can be set to auto-delete after a configurable period, ensuring you're not storing personal information longer than necessary.
No Hardware Required
No ticket dispensers, no digital signage screens, no kiosk terminals. ScanQueue runs entirely on devices you already own. Print a QR code, open the dashboard on any browser, and you're operational in five minutes.
Pharmacy Use Cases
Every pharmacy has different peak-time challenges. Here's how ScanQueue adapts to different scenarios.
The Busy Community Pharmacy
It's Monday morning. The GP clinic next door has just finished its first batch of appointments, and eight patients arrive within 15 minutes, each with a new prescription. With ScanQueue, a QR code at the counter lets patients check in as they drop off their prescription. They see they're 5th in the queue with a 12-minute wait. Half of them step outside or sit in their car. Your dispensary team works through the scripts uninterrupted.
eScript & Electronic Prescription Processing
The shift to electronic prescriptions means patients increasingly arrive with an eScript token. With ScanQueue, patients scan your pharmacy's QR code, indicate they have an e-script to process, and optionally provide their eScript token number. Your team begins processing the e-script, and the patient receives an SMS when it's ready to collect — all without standing at the counter.
Flu Season & Vaccination Queues
During flu season, your pharmacy is running vaccinations alongside regular dispensing. With ScanQueue, you set up separate queues — one for prescriptions, one for vaccinations. Each has its own QR code. Vaccination patients check in and wait in their car until they're called. Prescription patients follow their own queue. Your pharmacist manages both from one dashboard.
Pharmacist Consultations
Some patients need a private consultation — discussing medication interactions, reviewing a new treatment plan, or a health screening. ScanQueue lets you create a dedicated consultation queue. Patients book their spot, wait comfortably, and receive an SMS when the pharmacist is ready. No awkward standing near the consultation room.
Repeat Prescription Pickup
For patients collecting regular repeats, the process is even simpler. They scan the QR code, indicate it's a repeat collection, and your team pulls the prescription from the shelf. An SMS confirms it's ready, and the patient pops in for a 30-second pickup. This reduces counter congestion dramatically during peak hours when the majority of pickups are routine repeats.
What Pharmacy Owners Gain
Pharmacies that implement digital queue management see tangible improvements across their operations.
Patients track their position on their phone instead of asking “is my prescription ready?” every few minutes.
Patients wait wherever is convenient instead of standing in a physical queue at the counter.
Patients who can see a wait time and choose to wait remotely stay. Those who see a crowd with no information leave.
No ticket dispensers, kiosks, or signage to purchase. Runs entirely on devices you already own.
From signup to fully operational. Print a QR code, open the dashboard, and you're managing your pharmacy queue.
Fewer people in the pharmacy at any time. During flu season or outbreaks, virtual queuing keeps your waiting area below capacity.
ScanQueue vs Pharmacy Queue Alternatives
Most pharmacy queue systems are enterprise-grade solutions with kiosks and six-figure costs. ScanQueue is cloud-based, mobile-first, and affordable for independent pharmacies.
| Feature | ScanQueue | QueueBee | Wavetec | Qtrac |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free forever | No | No | No |
| Starting price | Free / $99/mo | Enterprise pricing | Enterprise pricing | Enterprise pricing |
| QR code check-in | ||||
| No hardware required | ||||
| WhatsApp + SMS notifications | ||||
| Voice AI calls (add-on) | ||||
| SMS included (paid) | 500–2,800/mo | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| AI wait predictions | ||||
| Custom queue fields | ||||
| Multiple queue types | ||||
| No app download (patients) | Varies | Varies | ||
| Setup time | 5 minutes | Weeks (hardware) | Weeks (hardware) | Days–weeks |
| Australian support | Regional | Regional | ||
| Best for | Community pharmacies | Hospital depts | Large chains | Large chains |
Why community pharmacies choose ScanQueue: Enterprise queue management systems like QueueBee, Wavetec, and Qtrac are designed for hospital networks and large pharmacy chains. They require kiosks, digital signage, and professional installation. ScanQueue delivers the core value — virtual queuing with SMS notifications — at a fraction of the cost, with zero hardware and a five-minute setup. It's the right tool for pharmacies doing 50 to 300 prescriptions per day.
Pricing for Pharmacies
Straightforward pricing with no per-patient charges, no hardware costs, and no long-term contracts.
10 SMS/mo trial
Small pharmacies testing digital queuing. QR code, live dashboard, WhatsApp + SMS, up to 10 patients/day.
500 SMS/mo included
Busy pharmacies needing WhatsApp + SMS notifications, multiple queue types, analytics, and custom branding. Voice AI add-on available.
1,400 SMS/mo included
High-volume pharmacies with up to 2,000 patients/day, Voice AI add-on, and priority support.
From $499/mo
Pharmacy groups with 2,800+ SMS/mo, Voice AI, dedicated support, multi-location management, and compliance customisation.
All plans include WhatsApp + SMS notifications. Voice AI calls available as add-on. No per-patient fees. Cancel anytime. See Full Pricing →
Pharmacy Queue Management FAQ
Resources for Pharmacy Owners
Learn how to optimise your pharmacy's queue management
How to Reduce Wait Times Without Adding Staff
Principles that apply across industries — including pharmacies.
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Complete Virtual Queue Guide
Everything you need to know about virtual queue management.
How It Works
See exactly how ScanQueue manages queues for any business.
See It in Action
5-Minute Setup
Sign up, name your business, print your QR code. You're live in under 5 minutes — no hardware, no IT team.
No App Download
Customers scan your QR code with their phone camera. No app download, no account needed — works in any browser.
Instant SMS Alerts
Staff tap Notify. Customer gets an SMS within seconds with their queue status. No shouting names across the room.
Pharmacy Queue Management by City
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